Within minutes, the Black Ferns had drawn level after Paul found herself in space out wide. Leading by four at the break, the Black Ferns got off to a poor start in the second stanza. The Black Ferns managed the following period well though and extended the lead through Holmes. When Paul scored her third a few minutes later to make it 31-15, it felt like the visitors were set to run away with it. Black Ferns 48 (Mererangi Paul 3, Renee Holmes 2, Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, Hannah King tries; Holmes 5 cons, pen)USA 15 (Hope Rogers, Erica Coulibaly tries; Bella Vogel con, pen)HT: 19-15

Source: New Zealand Herald April 12, 2026 01:47 UTC